How receiving a massage can help in 99 different situations

We all want our body to be in the best possible condition.  A good massage can relax your muscle, and relief your stress, maybe even get rid of some pains you have in your body.  In this post, we will explore various other benefit massage has – many of them showing a great result in clinical trial and study settings.

After you read through, you just might think getting a massage is no longer a luxury, but a requirement to help your body (and soul!)

Some of the studies are onsies – they were shown to benefit, but no extensive follow up study has been conducted, nevertheless, it will be something you want to keep in mind.

It’s a long list, ready?

Health Benefits of Massage

1. Fights Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the worst sleeping disorders that can be caused by stress. It doesn’t only ruins your appearance by dark circles under eyes, but also effects your mood, memory and productivity. A pilot study at University of Alberta states that the Japanese Shiatsu (Finger Pressure) massage is an effective solution for people suffering from insomnia. Another study that was approved by the Federal University of South Paulo indicates that postmenopausal women suffering from insomnia fell asleep more rapidly and easily after regular massage sessions.

2: Improves Blood Circulation

Improved blood circulation doesn’t only makes you feel healthy, but makes your skin look healthy too. It also promotes cell growth and your skins ability to fight bacteria. A study at Illinois University of Chicago indicated that massage is effective in increasing blood circulation and alleviating muscle soreness.

3. Eliminates Back Pain

Back pain is a painful and really common condition that effects the lower part of the spine. United States alone deals with over 30 Million back pain patients a year. A study objected to compare 2 different massage styles for back pain relief found that massage therapy is an effective solution for back pain. And that the relieving effects of massage can last as long as 6 months.

4. Reduces Pain of Osteoarthritis of Knee

5. Relaxes Sore Muscles

 A study in 2012 found that massage is capable of relieving muscles from inflammation and muscle soreness. The researchers assigned 11 men short sessions of intense exercise. A kind of exercise that would usually result in stiff and sore muscles for a few days afterwards. All exercisers were treated with a 10 minute massage on one leg and the other leg was simply given rest. After comparing the muscles from both the legs before and after exercise the researchers found that massage triggered some genes capable of alleviating inflammation and muscle soreness.

6. Migraine Headaches

10 male patients with acute migraine headaches were enrolled in a study to test the effects of massage as a solution to the condition. The researchers used neck and upper thoracic massage as an intervention in the study. The results came out as reduced levels of headache pain intensity up to 69% with no side effects observed.

7. Improves Immunity

 Our Immune system is the first line of defense our body has to fight diseases and bacteria. Having a strong immune system confirms better health. Some studies had reported in the past that massage could improve immunity. However, no solid proof was provided until this study took place. The study enrolled sixty six cancer patients divided in to two groups. One was treated with 3 massage sessions a week and the other was given standard. care. The post-study results were reported as 11% increased levels of lymphocyte in the massage group which is a cell that is believed to have a positive effect on the immune system.

8. Increases Muscle Flexibility

It’s been widely believed by athletes and health professionals that massage is an effective way to increase Range Of Motion (ROM). Which was further strengthened by this study. Seven male and ten female volunteers were treated with hamstring roller massage. The results indicated that the use of roller-massager increased the ROM by 4.3%.

9. Controls Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

This weird sounding condition is a disorder that causes widespread of chronic muscular pain, fatigue and tenderness. There is no authentic research on what causes Fibromyalgia. But it is believed that stress and Insomnia might provoke it. However, there has been some research on what can cure symptoms of Fibromylagia. A pilot study objected to evaluate the effects of massage therapy on Fibromyalgia concluded its findings declaring massage as an effective treatment to control the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

10. Reduces Aggression in Preschool Kids

A study enrolled children who showed extra aggression in daycare and treated the subjects with massage therapy to see how it affects their condition. The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) was used to rate the aggression of children by daycare staff and parents after 3, 6 and 12 months. Both the children in massage and control group (treated with extra attention) showed decreased scores of aggression. But the aggression score notably kept on decreasing and lasted only in the massage group after 6 and 12 months.

11. Lowers Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Hypertensive women were enrolled in a study objected to figure out the effects of Swedish Massage on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. From the two groups, one was treated with Swedish massage an hour, weekly for four weeks and the other was given rest an hour weekly for the same duration. The study concluded that both the groups showed significant low levels of heart rate and blood pressure; however, the effect on blood pressure lasted long in the massage group.

12. Boosts Mood

 According to this study, aromatherapy massage is an effective way to enhance mood and eliminate stress. 8 adults enrolled in this study were treated with aromatherapy massage weekly for 6 weeks. Improvements in mood was noticed in 6 out of 8 patients.

13. Controls  Symptoms of Depression

 Massage is widely believed to be effective in easing the symptoms of depression. 32 healthy women were enrolled in a studyin which they were treated with facial massage to figure out its effects on depression, mood and nervous system. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to evaluate the psychological effects of massage. It was concluded that massage intervention can reduce depression and also can activate the sympathetic nervous system.

14. Increases Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells are important as they remove excess of carbon dioxide from our body by transporting it to the lungs. These cells are produced in the bone narrow. According to the studies made in the mid-1900s, massage can facilitate the growth of red blood cells especially in people with anemia.

15. Cures Cancer-Related Fatigue

 Massage is used widely in medical centers worldwide as a tool to cure fatigue. Many studies have been made to figure out the effects of massage on fatigue caused by different medical conditions. Cancer related fatigue is one of the worst symptoms that cancer patients suffer. It is often described as “Paralyzing”. Because it can not be relieved by rest or sleep. A study on chemotherapy related fatigue found that back-massage can effectively alleviate acute fatigue and anxiety in cancer patients. The study was conducted with 40 chemotherapy patients. Each of which showed significantly reduced levels of fatigue the next day of chemotherapy.

16. Calms nervous system

 A large number of 139 volunteers contributed in a study to find the effects of heat and massage on nervous system. The study procedure included a daily 40 minute massage dose, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. The researchers found that daily massage contributed in calming the nervous systems of the subjects.

17. Controls Asthma

 This is one of the most welcomed researches on massage benefits. A research that studied the effects of massage on children with asthma hypothesized that massage can play a vital role in controlling conditions caused by asthma. The study enrolled 44 asthmatic children divided in two groups; one who received massage therapy and the other was treated with standard care. The children in the massage group received a 20 minute massage at bedtime every day for a month. The results indicated that a continuous massage treatment could help better airway tonicity and reduce airway sensitivity in asthmatic children.

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18. Reduces Chronic Musculoskeletal  Pain

More than 70 Million people in the U.S are affected by chronic pain. Along with other treatments massage is also considered a cure for the condition. Different studies have been performed about effects of massage on chronic pain caused by different conditions. This pilot study conducted on 30 chronic Musculoskeletal pain patients concluded its findings declaring massage therapy a useful treatment for reduction in chronic musculoskeletal pain intensity.

19. Heals Exhausted Muscles and Inflammation

 11 men were enrolled in a research led by McMaster University scientists. All the subjects were assigned an exhausting stationary bike exercise. The researchers analysed their biopsies before the exercise, immediately after 10 minutes of exercise and lastly after 2.5 hours of exercise. The subjects’ thigh muscles suffered from inflammation, but a 10 minutes massage not only lightened inflammation, but also produced new mitochondria molecules which heals exercise related muscle damage.

20. Reduces Constipation

Constipation needs to be avoided as it can give birth to other disorders. Sometimes it may be a symptom of diabetes or IBS. A study held on elderly people suffering from constipation were treated with abdominal aromatherapy massage.  As a conclusion, massage was said to have played an important role in reducing the severity of constipation. And that the results of aromatherapy massage lasted for two weeks.

21. Controls Blood Glucose Level

A study was held on 2 groups of diabetic children recruited from a hospital in Iran. The children were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The children in the intervention group were treated with Swedish massage for 15 minute 3 times a week. Blood Glucose levels were tested in both the groups immediately after the massage. After comparing the results from both the groups. The blood glucose level of the subjects in massage group was decreased significantly.

22. Reduces Chemotherapy-induce Nausea

23. Reduces Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a central nervous system disorder that effects the movement of the victim. Though, massage is not claimed to be a complement treatment for this condition, but studies have found that massage trials were successful in reducing some of its symptoms. In a 2002 study, patients undergoing Parkinson’s disease were divided in to two groups(massage and relaxation). Both the groups received their respective therapies twice a week for five weeks. While both the groups showed improvements, they lasted long in the massage group. The patients showed improvements in conducting daily activities, falling asleep, and less stress. While another study in 2005 suggested that one hour full body massage sessions may help regain the walking abilities, self-confidence and well-being in patients.

24. Reduces Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a mystery disease in which the nervous system attacks on the protecting layers of nerves causing them damage. There has been no cure found yet, but treatments have been developed to speed up the rehabilitation process after damage and to control the symptoms. A pilot study was conducted to compare the effects of massage and exercise on the symptoms of MS. A total of 44 patients were randomly assigned to four groups;  massage therapy, exercise therapy, massage-exercise therapy and control group. The massage group was treated with standard Swedish massage for five weeks. While other groups were provided with their respective treatments for the same duration. The massage therapy resulted in significant pain reduction, improved dynamic balance and walking speed compared with exercise and control group. Though, the patients in the massage-exercise group showed much larger improvements in the same areas.

25. Reduces Abdominal Obesity

Aromatherapy massage was put into test in a pilot study on middle-aged women with abdominal obesity. The participants were treated with Aromatherapy and Placebo massage (each for two weeks). After analyzing the appetite, abdominal circumference and weight of the participants before and after the massage. The study concluded its results declaring massage to be highly effective in reducing abdominal obesity in middle-aged women.

26. Improves Social Bonding

A hormone known as Oxytocin (OT) is known to be responsible for better co-operative attitudes and social bonds in humans. A study objected to find the effects of massage on OT and other physiologic factors was held in the University of California (UCLA). A total of 95 participants were randomly divided in to control and intervention groups. The intervention group that was treated with moderate-pressure massage showed a greater increase in OT and other factors like ACTH, NO and BE as compared to the control group.

27. Prevents Perineal Trauma at birth

Perineal massage is believed to reduce the incidence of perineal trauma following vaginal birth.  In this study, women were treated with perineal massage in the last 4 weeks of their pregnancy. The study results indicated that massage therapy lessens the likelihood of perineal trauma requiring suturing. Moreover, the participants reported relief in ongoing perineal pain.

28. Can stop Intractable Hiccups

Did you knew massage could help you stop intractable hiccups? Well, this is just what this study found. A 60 year old man was suffering from acute Pancreatitis developed intractable hiccups. Different drugs and manoeuvres were used to stop the disorder, but the doctors had no success. Later, they treated the old man with rectal massage and the hiccups startlingly came to an end. Though, a few hours later the hiccups recurred one last time and were ended immediately after another session of rectal massage.

29. Weight Gain in Preterm Infants

 5 days of massage therapy was designed for preterm infants to see how the intervention effects the weight and sleeping behaviors of neonates. 16 neonates were treated with 15 minute massage therapy for 3 times a day. The infants getting a massage showed 53% greater weight gain daily after 5 days of massage therapy. Moreover, the massage  group spent less time sleeping or in a drowsy state as compared to the control group.

30. Rheumatoid Arthritis 

A study that compared the effects of low pressure vs moderate pressure massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis recruited 41 adults with rheumatoid arthritis in the upper limbs. The subjects were randomly assigned to low pressure and moderate pressure massage groups. Both the groups were treated once a week with massage for 4 weeks, while a professional massage therapist taught the participants self-massage techniques to be done daily. By the end of month, the moderate pressure massage participants had less pain, greater ROM, and grip strength in their wrists, elbows and shoulders.

31. Reduces Severity of Pain in Labor

A total of 46 pregnant women were enrolled in experimental and control groups. The women in the experimental group received an intervention of 15-minute lumbar massage by an physiotherapist during the ongoing phase of labor. A physiotherapist also attended the women in the control group for the same duration, but only answered questions. At the end of the massage session, the pain severity was decreased by a mean difference of 20 mm compared to the women in control group.

32. Improves Neonatal Jaundice in New-born Infants

Neonatal Jaundice is one of the most common conditions in preterm newborn babies. In the condition, the colouration of the skin turns yellowish which happens due to increased levels of bilirubin in blood. In a controlled clinical trial, 20 newborns were enrolled in the massage group and 22 in the control group. Transcutaneous and serum bilirubin levels were analysed prior to the intervention. A reduce in Transcutaneous bilirubin was noted on the second day of massage therapy, while serum bilirubin level reduced significantly on the fourth day compared to the control group. Conclusively, suggesting massage therapy to be helpful in reducing  Neonatal Jaundice in newborn infants.

33. Ameliorates Chronic Neck Pain and Dysfunction

While the healing effects of massage on chronic neck pain and dysfunction are acknowledged by previous studies. A clinical trial was made to identify the optimal dose of massage for neck-related pain and dysfunction in frequency and duration. 228 patients of nonspecific neck pain were randomly assigned to 5 groups. All of which were provided massage therapy for different duration and frequencies. The results yet again suggested massage to be effective in reducing chronic neck pain neck dysfunction. And the optimal dose of massage was found to be 60-minute massage sessions multiple times as that group showed the most improvements.

34. Controls Symptoms of Malignant Ascites

 Malignant Ascite is a condition referred to the fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity. The believe that abdominal massage can reduce the symptoms of Malignant ascite was tested in a study which recruited 80 patients undergoing malignant ascite and randomly assigned them to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group was treated with 15-minute gentle abdominal massage twice a day for 3 days.  While the control group received 15-minute social interaction with a nurse twice-daily for 3 days. The intervention group showed significant improvements in symptoms like depression, anxiety, poor well-being and abdominal bloating. Though, no positive effects were noticed on other symptoms like: pain, tiredness, nausea, drowsiness and body weight.

35.  Can Improve Dyspnoea

Dyspnoea or labored breathing can be triggered as a symptom of diseases like asthma, heart attack and chronic pulmonary disease. A study in Taipei recruited patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease undergoing Dyspnoea and treated them with acupressure massage to accumulate its effects.  A total of 44 patients were assigned to a true acupressure or a sham group. Patients in both the acupressure programs received 16 minute massage sessions five times a week lasting for more than 4 weeks.  After analyzing the pre-study and post-study results, the researchers found that the true acupressure program appreciably improved Dyspnoea in Patients with Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Furthermore, improvements in pulmonary function, 6-minute walking distance, anxiety and physiological indications were noticed.

36. Reliefs Chronic Postoperative Pain

 Effective adjuvant therapies are needed to relieve postoperative pain among patients that go through major operations. The effects of massage therapy as an adjuvant treatment were tested in a randomized control trial. The researchers enrolled six hundred five veterans that underwent major operations and were suffering from acute postoperative pain and pain unpleasantness. The subjects were randomly assigned to a control group and 2 massage groups. The massage groups as compared to the control group showed better short-term reduction in pain intensity, unpleasantness and anxiety. Moreover, the results were achieved much faster in the massage groups as compared to the control group. Though, no significant differences were noticed in rates of decrease in long-term pain intensity, unpleasantness or anxiety in all 3 groups.

37. Alleviates Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

RLS is a very common condition which mostly triggers at evenings and causes legs extreme discomfort. A 35 year old women with Restless Legs Syndrome was treated with 40-minute massage sessions twice a week targeting the piriformis and hamstring muscles with a gap of 2 days. The results came out as reduced symptoms of RLS only after two massage sessions including: urgency to move the legs, tingling sensation and sleeplessness which continued to improve throughout the intervention.

38. Reduces Severity of Essential Tremor

A study made on a 63 year old women whose head and hands were affected with essential tremor (ET) was treated with relaxation-based massage therapies for five sessions a week. The tremor intensity was decreased with every session. And the study concluded its findings declaring massage therapy a valuable method to treat ET.

39. Improves Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia or BPH is an age associated prostate gland dysfunction in men. Which causes urinary difficulties and in some cases sexual dysfunction. In this study, 44 men with BPH were subjected to a medical abdominal massage to see if massage therapy is helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms. The LQ accessing quality of life tools and I-PSS symptoms score were used to the determine the efficacy of the method. Improvements were noticed in all subjects. After the intervention, the I-PSS and LQ scores were improved by 50% and 41%. While the urinary problems also decreased and many of the subjects desired to continue receiving the intervention in the future.

40. Reduces Symptoms of TMJ

Chewing pain, restricted jaw opening and jaw clicking are common symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome or TMJ. A study objected to test the effects of massage on the symptoms of TMJ used Western massage techniques on a subject that was undergoing masticatory pain, clicking and reduced jaw opening since 3 years. The massage intervention lasted for 3 weeks in which 30-min massage sessions were applied twice a week on the subject. The results indicated  that massage sessions decreased TMJ related pain, increased jaw opening by almost third. And reduced jaw clicking from 4 times to once monthly. Although, teeth grinding remained unchanged in the subject.

41. Relieves Symptoms of CPS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CPS) is referred to the numbness and tingling sensation in hands which is triggered by pinched nerves in the wrists. In a research, 16 adults suffering from CPS were randomly assigned to control and massage groups. The participants of the massage group were given a daily self-massage routine, and a massage therapist also massaged them once in a week. The massage intervention was based on a duration of 4 weeks. The results showed that a daily dose of massage can relieve the symptoms of CPS. The participants in the intervention group showed improved grip strength, mood, pain severity and anxiety.

42. Reduces Menstrual Pain

52 nurses were included in a clinical trial who reported their menstrual pain 5 on a scale of 10. The subjects were randomly assigned to placebo, experiment and a no treatment control group. The subjects in the experiment group treated themselves with self-aromatherapy massage. After comparing the results of subjects in each group. The results suggested that aromatherapy massage was most effective in decreasing the severity of menstrual pain after 24 hours as compared to other groups.

43. Improves Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a chronic condition in which the subjects were suffering from absent-mindedness, difficulty focusing, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. In a study, 28 adolescents going through the condition were randomly assigned to either relaxation therapy or massage therapy. The participants in the massage group rated themselves happier as compared to the relaxation group after consecutive 10 days of school. The teachers reported less hyperactivity scores and reported the participants to be spending more time on tasks based on classroom behavior after two weeks.

44. Reduces Shoulder Pain

A study conducted to test the effects of soft tissue massage on pain and range of motion in patients with shoulder pain recruited 26 patients that were randomly divided in to a treatment group that received a total of six soft tissue massage sessions around the neck or to a control group. After analyzing the pre-study and post-study results, the researchers found that the treatment group showed notably more improvements in range of motion and pain reduction as compared to the control group.

45. Improves Hypertrophic scars

 Massage is also believed  to have healing effects on burn scars. The efficacy of burn rehabilitation massage was tested in a study that recruited 146 patients with hypertrophic scars. 76 of which were randomly assigned to massage group and were treated with scar rehabilitation massage in addition to standard care. The participants in the massage group showed a notable decrease in scar thickness, skin redness, itchiness, melanin and skin distention as compared to the control group. The results indicated  that burn rehabilitation massage is an effective method to improve scar characteristics in hypertrophic scars after burn.

46. Controls Agitation

In this study, cognitive impaired  residents of a nursing home were treated with massage therapy to assess its effect on agitation. The study declared its results after analyzing 5 characteristics of agitation: Verbal Agitation/abusive, Wandering, Socially Inappropriate/Disruptive, Physical Agitation and Resists care. Agitation was noticed low in the subjects during the intervention and remained the same at follow up. Significant improvements were shows in 4 characteristics: Wandering, Verbal Agitation, Physical Agitation and Resists Care. These results suggested massage to be an effective nonpharmacological intervention to control some types of agitation in patients with cognitive impairment.

47. Reduces Pain in Arthroscopic Knee patients

A total of 60 patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery were included in a study that assessed the effects of massage on pain severity. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Pain severity was recorded before and after the intervention. The participants in the intervention group were treated with 20 minute massage sessions each day beside routine treatment. A notable difference in pain severity was noticed in the intervention group before and after the massage therapy. While the participants of control group showed no difference in pre-study and post-study results.

48. Reduces Fall in Elderly

More than 30% of people over 65 years of age who fall annually get fractures with decreased Independence. And it also is one of the common causes of deaths in older people. Falls in elderly can be prevented by improved postural stability and overall strength. In a study, 35 healthy old volunteers were treated with a 60 minute full body massage intervention while the control group rested quietly in the treatment room. The effects on stability were measured by Static (doubled legged) and functional (single legged) postures with eyes-open and eyes-closed. After analyzing the pre-study and post-study results the conclusion was made that massage intervention increased stability in both static and functional postures in older people decreasing the chances of fall in elderly.

49. Reduces Menopausal Symptoms

90 women with menopause were recruited in a clinical controlled trial in a hospital in Tehran. Menopausal has different symptoms that can disturb different aspects of life, but this trial was focused on pain management. The subjects were divided in to aromatherapy, control and a placebo massage group. The women in the aromatherapy group were treated with a 30-minute aromatherapy massage with aroma oil twice a weeks for 4 weeks. While the placebo group were given massage sessions with plain oil and the control group received no treatment. The baseline scores of menopausal score did not differ in all 3 groups. However, a notable decrease in menopause score was noticed after 8 massage interventions. After comparing the results from aromatherapy and placebo group, the menopause score of aromatherapy group was lower by a big difference. Whereas, the control group showed no improvements.

50. Improves Mother-infant Interaction

Postnatal depression or Depression after child birth in mothers can make the mother-infant relation suffer for a long time. One of the studies on the effects of massage on depression and improving the quality of mother-infant relation recruited thirty four depressed mothers in the study. The results on depression and quality of interaction between infant and mother were assessed by  Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score and video taped mother-infant interaction. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment group (massage + support) and control group ( given support only). The depression score (EPDS) fell low in both the groups. But improvements in mother-infant interaction was only noticed in the treatment group.

51. Proven Solution for Tension Headaches

Studies have shown that massage can have relieving effects on tension headaches. The conclusions made in this study suggest that massage therapy can relieve the distress caused by tension headaches. The participants enrolled were treated with a 45 minute massage session twice a week. The psychological improvements in subjects were noted by (STAI),  (BDI-II) and (PSS). The intervention resulted in reduction of frequency, intensity and duration of tension headaches.

Phew! That took more research than I expected.

So, these were some of the benefits massage can bring to your health.

Researches are still assessing the effects of massage on different medical conditions. And it’s obvious that there a lot to be discovered in the future.

More like these will be coming in the future, so stay tuned to TheMassagechairreviews.

PS: If this resource increased your knowledge about massage, please remember to share: 51 Reasons to get a massage.